Automobile beach curtain



June l0, 1941 D. oATMAN 2,245,411

AUTOMOBILE BEACH CURTAIN Filed May 14, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l .Fame 10, 1941. D. oA'rMAN AUTOMOBILE BEACH CURTAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 14, 1940 INVENTOR. DEL/A OHTMl/v A f ToR/vfr.

Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATET orgies. i

8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an auto beach curtain.

The invention proposes an auto beach curtain which is characterized by a curtain body made cf cloth, or other suitable material, and adapted to extend across the windshield, the side windows and the rear window of an automobile. It is proposed to associate means with said curtain body for removably supporting the same, as specied, within the automobile.

The auto beach curtain, in accordance with this invention, has numerous advantages. It may be used by the many people who cannot obtain lockers at bath houses for various reasonseither for a lack of sufcient lockers or for a lack of funds. It may be used by people who do not wish to mingle with others in crowded bath houses. The danger of contracting diseases, such as athletes foot, etc., will be greatly reduced. It will make unnecessary the practice of some people, who are either unable or unwilling for various reasons to secure lockers at the beach, of donning bathing suits at home and then riding throughcrowded thoroughfares to the beach attired in bathing suits, bathrobes, or other scanty attire; or of putting up of towels, papers, blankets, etc., on the inside of automobiles for the purpose of providing privacy for donning bathing suits, or redressing. Such practices not only detract from the appearance of the automobile and of the beach, but frequently do not provide the privacy desired.

Furthermore, the beach curtain may be used by tourists for the purpose of providing additional dressing room space when staying overnight in tents, cabin camps, etc.

It is proposed to so construct the auto beach curtain that it may be designed for use in any model of any make of automobile, or several designs may be used for several groups of models or makes.

Still further the invention contemplates constructing the curtain of a plurali-ty of separate sections, and furthermore these sections may be arranged in a manner so that the curtain may ,be opened at the sides in the vicinity of the doors of the automobile to facilitate exit and entrance of persons without requiring the removal of the curtain or sections thereof.

Still further the invention contemplates a novel arrangement by which the curtain body is attached to the upholstery or other part or parts of the automobile, and rmly and securely held in position.

Another object of the invention resides in a f construction wherein the auto beach curtain may be readily removed, or drawn to one or more inconspicuous points.

Still further the invention contemplates constructing the auto beach curtain of uniform height along its length, or of diierent heights to better accommodate the design of any particular make of automobile.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure- Fig. 1 is a perspective lview of an automobile equipped with an auto beach curtain constructed in accordance with one form of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken directly below the roof of the automobile shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional View of the automobile shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of one area of the auto beach curtain.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the pins for mounting the curtain shown in the prior gures upon the upholstery of an automobile.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional View of an automobile equipped with an auto beach curtain constructed in accordance with another form of this invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a flexible strip of material used in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional perspective View of a portion of the curtain body shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a transverse View of Fig. 6 looking towards the rear window, but illustrated with the curtain collected at certain inconspicuous points of the automobile.

The auto beach curtain, in accordance with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, includes a curtain body I0 for extending across the windshield I I, side windows I2, and rear window I3 of an automobile. Means is associated with the curtain body I0 for removably supporting it as specied within the automobile. This means includes a plurality of fastening elements I 4 which may be of any design or construction and extended along the top edge portion or other por-tions of the curtain body lil, and cooperative with the upholstery or other parts of the automobile.

The curtain body I!) preferably is made from cloth material, or other opaque sheet material suitable for the purpose intended. The curtain body l may be made from a plurality of separate sections. As illustrated on the drawings it is composed of two sections, indicated by reference characters Via and Ib, respectively. These sections are so arranged that the ends I0 are disposed in the vicinity of the outer edges of the side doors of the automobile. vWith thisarrangementl it is possible to brushthe'ends I0- apart when a person leaves or enters the automobile. While two sections have been illustrated it should be borne in mind that it may Ycomprise any number of sections. The bottom edge ofthe curtain body It! is nished with a hemmed portion -I 0c.

The top edge portion of the curtain body lil is formed with a relatively-wide hem d. A cordor rope yI5 is threaded through a passage IBI formed in `the hem Iild orv mounted thereon in other known ways. This passage I 6 is formed by a -pair of spaced parallel Vlines of stitches I'I sewn through the hemfmd. The cordl5 extends K completely alongthelength of the entire cur- `tainbody` i 0, `through the various sections thereoffandhasitsendsil adjacent one side of the automobile. AThese ends I5 are adapted to be 'tied' together-"forthe purpose of more securely mounting the cur-tain in position and for the purpose of allowing the sections of the curtain'v to be slipped .along the-cord when desired, as hereinafter more-fully explained.

The means for removably supporting the curtainbody-Illcomprises a plurality of fastening elements i4, and as illustrated on the drawings Vby way of illustration, in the lformv of double pins. `Each double pin I4 has an upwardly directed pointed end section Illa which is engaged intothe material of the hem Mld or other portiorr 'Each double-pinl has a downwardly dir rected hook pointed .end section Mib' which is adapted to be engaged into the material of the .upholstery iliior other part ofthe automobile,

andiengageable with al clasp 14e mounted on the Upin` I4 by which the end section I4b may be held closed. "This upholsterylil comprises the cloth materialextended'acrossfthe ceiling and the top dows of the car are covered over and the interior is completely private. While the .car is parked `at the beach, orother place, the beach curtain Eli! is'permitted toy remain in position. rIlhe doors of the car may be opened, thecurtain pushed asidef, and.. persons enterA or leave, aswdesired.

V'Before the car is `drivenfaway it is necessary that thecurtain'l!! be removed. First the ends I 5' of the cord are `untied to generally loosen the-curtain'IL'andthe'sections Mb ofthe pins .i4 are'opened. Then the'curtain' i!! is pulled upwards vatthe'points provided with the fastening elements' I4-so that the fastening elements I4 -are drawn out ofthe upholsteryi of the automobile. In this way, :or other obvious way, the curtain 'HJ is removed.

In Figs. 6410 inclusive, a modified form of the invention has been'disclosed which distinguishes Ytheupholstery lil of the automobile.

from the prior form in the fact that the auto beach curtain is adapted to permanently remain in the automobile. However, it is so arranged that it may be drawn across the windshield, the side windows, and the rear window of the automobile when in use, and may be moved to an inconspicuous inoperative position in the automobile when not in use. According to this form of the invention the auto beach curtain includes a strip of flexible material 2i! for extending inside of an automobile around the roof or the side walls and along the windshield, the side win- 1 dows and the rear window.

Means is provided for supporting the strip 2i) as `specified within the automobile. This means lincludes. a plurality of fastening elements I4 along the top edge portions of the strip 20 at spaced'vpcints a-nd adapted to cooperate with These fastening elements I4 comprise the double pointed pins described in the previous form of the invention, or other fastening elements or means. It is intended that the strip 20 be mounted in position in the `automobile and then allowed to But it may be easily kments v22 of stiff or slightly flexible material,

mounted at spaced points along the top portion of the curtain body IS. Each jaw shaped element 22 has a bottom hook shaped stem portion 22a or other portionadapted to be engaged into .or connected with the material of the hem llld ofzthe curtain body. The strip 2) has abeaded bottom edge formed lby a cord Z3 mounted in the hem portion 22a thereof. At one point the beaded portion is remove; le sothat the jaw shaped elements 22. maybe engaged upon the other portions of the beaded formation.

Specically, the hem 20a is secured closed by lines of stitches`24 which stop at the sides of the point of the area in question. At this area there is a narrow exible strip 25 which is secured by aline of stitches 26 to thetop portion of the strip 20. This strip of material 25 is provided with a short length of cord material 23. The bottom portion of the strip 25 normally is disposed within the hem 28a, as illustrated in Fig. '7, and then thebeaded area of the strip 20 is complete. However, the strip 25 may be pulled upwards out from the hem 25a and then the area of the hem 20a at this point has no filling, and consequently no longer is beaded. The jaws of the elements 22 may be slipped upwards over the thinned area of the hem Ziia and then moved laterally to engage the beaded portions. After all the jaw shaped elements 22 are engaged on the beaded bottom edge of the strip 2B, the strip 25 is' placed back into position as shown in Fig- '7.

In Fig. 6 the auto beach curtain is shown as it would appear when being used. When it is no longer required it may be moved to inconspicuous points, as illustrated in Fig. 10. First the ends i5 of the cord I5 are untied to loosen the upper edge portion of the curtain body l. Then one section Illa of the curtain body Il] is accumulated at the back corner of the body of the automobile by slipping the jaw shaped elementsZZ along the beaded bottom edge of the strip 20. Then the other section iii?) of the curtain body is accumulated at the other back corner of the automobile. Straps 28 are permanently attached at one of their ends 28a to the upholstery I8 of the automobile at the back, and are `adapted to extend over the accumulated curtain body sections Ita and lili) and are cooperative With complementary fastening elements 29 on the upholstery i8 so as to hold the curtain body sections ida and lilo stationarily in position.

The automobile may now be driven away. Attention is called to the fact that the strip 2i) remains extended along the roof or sides of the automobile. To use the beach curtain it is a simple operation to extend it back to the position illustrated in Fig. 6.

The ends l5' of the cord l5 are pulled taut and tied together for the purpose of more securely holding the curtain body l in position and to provide means by which the end portions of the curtain may be slid back from the doorway.

While I have illustrated and described the preierred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes'and modications coming within the scope oi the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as neW and desire to secure by United States Letters patent is:

1. An auto beach curtain, comprising a curtain body of opaque material for extending inside oi an automobile around the roof and for removable support along the windshield, the side Windows and the rear window of an automobile, said curtain body having a top edge portion, and means adjacently beneath said top edge portion for puliing the top area of the curtain body tight.

CTL

2. An auto beach curtain, comprising a curtain body of opaque material for extending inside of an automobile around the roof and for removable support along the Windshield, the side Windows and the rear Window of an automobile, said curtain body having a top edge portion, and means adjacently beneath said top edge portion for pulling the top area of the curtain body tight, said curtain body being open at the sides in the vicinity of the doors of said automobile, and said means comprising a cord Within a hem extending along said curtain body, said cord having its ends tied.

3. An auto beach curtain, comprising a curtain body of opaque material for extending inside of an automobile around the roof and for removable support along the windshield, the side Windows and the rear Window of an automobile, said curtain body being formed with a top hem into which fastening elements engage to support the curtain body, and a cord slidably engaged through said top hem and having its ends tied together for pulling the top area of the curtain bod5T tight.

4. For supporting an auto beach curtain, a strip of flexible material for extending inside of an automobile around the roof and for support along the Windshield, the side windows and the rear Window, a curtain body of opaque material for extending across'the Windshield, the side WindoWs and the rear window of said automobile, and means for slidably mounting said curtain body on said strip so that it may be extended or collected at certain points in said automobile.

5. In a device ofthe class described, a strip of Yflexible material for extending inside of an automobile around t'ne roof and for support along the Windshield, the side Windows and the rear Window, and means for slidably mounting a curtain body on said strip so that it may be extended or collected at certain points in said automobile, comprising a beaded area formed along the bottom edge of said strip of material, and jaw shaped elements for being mounted on the top of the curtain body at spaced positions and slidably engaging said beaded area.

6. In a device of the class described, a strip of flexible material for extending inside of an automobile around the roof and for support along the Windshield, the side Windows and the rear window, and means ier slidably mounting a curtain body on said strip so that it may be extended or collected at certain points in said automobile, comprising a beaded area formed along the bottom edge ol said strip of material, and jaw shaped elements for 'being mounted on the top of the curtain body at spaced positions and vslidably engaging said beaded area, said beaded area having a removable section to expose end portions of the beaded area from which said jaw shaped elements may be removed or replaced on said strip.

'7. In Aa device of the class described, a strip of flexible material for extending inside oi an automobile around the roof and for support along the windshield, the side Windows and the rear window, and means' for slidably mounting a curtain body on said strip so that it may be extended or collected at certain points in said automobile, comp-rising a beaded area formed along the bottom edge of said strip of material, and jaw shaped elements for being mounted on the top oi the curtain body at spaced positions and slidably engaging said beaded area, said beaded area having a removable section to expose end ,portions of the beaded area from which said jaw shaped elements may be removed or replaced on said strip, said curtain body having a ,top hem, and a cord engaged through said top hem and adapted to have its ends tied together for holding the top of the curtain body taut.

8. In a device of the class described, a strip of flexible material for extending inside of an automobile around the roof and for support along the Windshield, ythe side Windows and the rear Windovv, and means for slida-b-ly mounting a curtain body on a strip so that it may be extended or collected at certain points in said automobile, comprising a beaded area formed along the bottom edge oi said strip of material, and jaw shaped elements for being mounted on the top of the curtain body at spaced positions and slidably engaging said beaded area, said beaded area having a removable section to expose end portions of the beaded area from which said jaw shaped elements may be removed or replaced on said strip, said curtain body having a top hem, and a cord engaged through said top hem and adapted to have its ends [tied together for holding the top of the curtain body taut, and means for securely holding said curtain body sections at the said collected points.

DELIA OATMAN. 

